Conduit locking device

ABSTRACT

A conduit locking device includes a housing having a first end, a second end, and a sidewall disposed between the first end and the second end. The conduit locking device may further include a slide engaged with the sidewall of the housing, the slide including an extension arm and an end portion structurally configured to engage with an inner wall of a conduit. The slide may be extendable via the extension arm from a first position substantially adjacent to the sidewall of the housing to a second position disposed away from the sidewall of the housing, where, when in the second position, the slide is configured to retain the conduit locking device at a fixed position within the conduit through the engagement of the end portion with the inner wall of the conduit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/487,569 filed on Aug. 21, 2019, which is a national stage entryapplication of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2018/018942filed on Feb. 21, 2018, which claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/461,957 filed on Feb. 22, 2017 and U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/597,965 filed on Dec. 13, 2017, where each of theforegoing applications is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

Owners of various pipes, conduits, raceways, and the like, often findthat the pathways or channels included therein are being accessed orused by unpermitted or unauthorized users or devices (e.g., wires,cables, piping, and the like). For example, conduits that connect onebuilding to another building or conduits that connect a building to anaccess point in the sidewalk/street are often leased to a group of usersthereby providing these users with an easement or right-of-way for usingthe conduit. However, in many situations, these same conduits may beused by other unauthorized users (e.g., users lacking such an easementor right-of-way), who pull cable or the like through these conduitswithout an owner's permission. It is thus common for service personnelor the like to find unauthorized wiring or cable disposed in a conduit.Although locks for raceways and the like may exist in the prior art,they often include deficiencies such as being difficult to use andoperate, requiring access into a section of the conduit forinsertion/removal, being easily circumvented by an unauthorized user,and the like. Moreover, owners of conduits often have no means ofmonitoring the status of a conduit, or being alerted to an improperaccess, a tampering, or a breach of a conduit. There remains a need fordevices, systems, and methods for locking pipes, conduits, raceways, andthe like from use by an unauthorized user, as well as for improvedtechniques for monitoring conduits.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings provide visual representations which will beused to more fully describe various representative embodiments and canbe used by those skilled in the art to better understand therepresentative embodiments disclosed and their inherent advantages. Thedrawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placedupon illustrating the principles of the devices, systems, and methodsdescribed herein. In these drawings, like reference numerals mayidentify corresponding elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a conduit locking device, inaccordance with a representative embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a conduit locking device,in accordance with a representative embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a conduit locking device, in accordancewith a representative embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up top view of a conduit locking device, inaccordance with a representative embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a conduit locking device, in accordance with arepresentative embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a hose of a hydraulic system, in accordance with arepresentative embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates an actuator of a hydraulic system, in accordance witha representative embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates an extraction tool, in accordance with arepresentative embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates the installation of a system for locking a conduit,in accordance with a representative embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates a system for locking a conduit, in accordance with arepresentative embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates an end cap, in accordance with a representativeembodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates a top view of an end cap, in accordance with arepresentative embodiment.

FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an end cap, in accordancewith a representative embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart of a method for locking a conduit, in accordancewith a representative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The various methods, systems, apparatuses, and devices described hereingenerally provide for locking pipes, conduits, raceways, and the like,as well as techniques and systems for monitoring the same.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetail specific embodiments, with the understanding that the presentdisclosure is to be considered as an example of the principles of theinvention and not intended to limit the invention to the specificembodiments shown and described. In the description below, likereference numerals may be used to describe the same, similar orcorresponding parts in the several views of the drawings.

In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top andbottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity oraction from another entity or action without necessarily requiring orimplying any actual such relationship or order between such entities oractions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,”“has,” “having,” or any other variations thereof, are intended to covera non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, orapparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only thoseelements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherentto such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by“comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude theexistence of additional identical elements in the process, method,article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment,” “certainembodiments,” “an embodiment,” “implementation(s),” “aspect(s),” orsimilar terms means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, theappearances of such phrases or in various places throughout thisspecification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics maybe combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments withoutlimitation.

The term “or” as used herein is to be interpreted as an inclusive ormeaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B or C” means “any ofthe following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C.” Anexception to this definition will occur only when a combination ofelements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutuallyexclusive. Also, grammatical conjunctions are intended to express anyand all disjunctive and conjunctive combinations of conjoined clauses,sentences, words, and the like, unless otherwise stated or clear fromthe context. Thus, the term “or” should generally be understood to mean“and/or” and so forth.

All documents mentioned herein are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety. References to items in the singular should be understoodto include items in the plural, and vice versa, unless explicitly statedotherwise or clear from the text.

Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting,referring instead individually to any and all values falling within therange, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such arange is incorporated into the specification as if it were individuallyrecited herein. The words “about,” “approximately,” or the like, whenaccompanying a numerical value, are to be construed as indicating adeviation as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art tooperate satisfactorily for an intended purpose. Ranges of values and/ornumeric values are provided herein as examples only, and do notconstitute a limitation on the scope of the described embodiments. Theuse of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as,”or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminatethe embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of theembodiments. No language in the specification should be construed asindicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of theembodiments.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, reference numerals may berepeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogouselements. Numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding ofthe embodiments described herein. The embodiments may be practicedwithout these details. In other instances, well-known methods,procedures, and components have not been described in detail to avoidobscuring the embodiments described. The description is not to beconsidered as limited to the scope of the embodiments described herein.

In the following description, it is understood that terms such as“first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” “above,” “below,” andthe like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed aslimiting terms. Also, the terms apparatus and device may be usedinterchangeably in this text.

As discussed herein, the disclosure may include methods, systems,apparatuses, and devices for locking pipes, conduits, raceways, and thelike. Therefore, for convenience, unless explicitly stated to thecontrary or otherwise clear from the context, the term “conduit” as usedherein shall include conduits in the traditional sense (e.g., a tube orthe like forming a pathway or channel), as well as pipes, raceways, andthe like, and/or any other structure forming a pathway, channel, or thelike.

Also, unless explicitly stated to the contrary or otherwise clear fromthe context, the term “lock,” “locking,” and the like shall refer toboth completely locking a conduit or partially locking a conduit. Ingeneral, “locking a conduit” and the like, shall refer to preventing useof the conduit by unpermitted or unauthorized users. For example, thedevices, systems, and methods described herein may prevent unpermittedor unauthorized users from pulling wires, cables, piping, and the likethrough the conduit, while allowing for wires, cables, piping, and thelike from permitted users. “Locking a conduit” may also or insteadinclude monitoring a conduit, e.g., for breaches, tampering,unauthorized access, and so on.

In an effort to gain access to existing conduits, unauthorized users maypull wires, cables, and the like through existing conduits without anowner's permission. For example, because many existing conduits are notprotected/locked, utility contractors, developers, and the like may useexisting conduits for their benefit, without permission or approval.Worse yet, once occupied, the conduit may be deemed to be owned by anoccupying utility, whether they have an owner's permission or not. Theburden of proof may fall on the original installer to subsequentlyregain ownership of the conduit and the space inside.

Devices, systems, and methods described herein may provide an owner of aconduit (e.g., an underground pipeline system) with the ability toretain the right to use the conduit for their desired purposes, whilepreventing unauthorized users from accessing or otherwise using theconduit. Additionally, devices, systems, and methods described hereinmay be used as a means to prompt payment between an owner and acontractor—e.g., payment from the owner to a contractor that hasinstalled pipe but has yet to be compensated for their work, where thecontractor can lock the pipe until they receive compensation.

The devices, systems, and methods for locking a conduit may increase thevalue of ownership of conduits and conduit systems, with or withoutcables or the like installed therein. For example, a conduit lockingdevice may be customized to fit around existing cables (or the like) tocontrol the use of the existing conduit, e.g., by being placed atlocations along the conduit system that are determined to be difficultto compromise or access.

Devices, systems, and methods described herein may also or insteadprovide for the monitoring of a conduit, e.g., against tampering,damage, infiltration, contamination, occupation, theft, breach, and soon, of the conduit itself and/or its contents. By way of example, if aconduit contains data cables or the like, monitoring of the conduit canalert a user when an attempt is made to tap into the data cables, e.g.,for hacking purposes or for accessing sensitive data contained therein.Also, if a conduit contains power cables or the like, monitoring of theconduit can alert a user when an attempt is made to cutoff power, e.g.,during an act of theft, terrorism, or the like.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a conduit locking device, inaccordance with a representative embodiment. In general, the conduitlocking device 100 may be used for insertion into an underground conduitor piping system to lock or block the pathway through the conduit orpiping system, or to limit the use of an existing conduit by beinginstalled and locked around existing wires, cables, or the like, whilelimiting access by other wires, cables, and the like.

The conduit locking device 100 may generally include a housing 110having a first end 111, a second end 112, and one or more sidewalls 114disposed between the first end 111 and the second end 112. The conduitlocking device 100 may also generally include one or more slides 120engaged with a sidewall 114 of the housing 110. In general, the conduitlocking device 100 may be structurally configured for insertion into aconduit, where one or more of the slides 120 are movable to engage aninner wall of the conduit thereby releasably locking the conduit lockingdevice 100 in place within the conduit. In this manner, the conduitlocking device 100 may block access to the conduit, e.g., from cables orthe like being inserted into, or pulled through, the conduit. In otherwords, the conduit locking device 100 may act as an obstruction withinthe conduit for mitigating unauthorized access thereto. Also, orinstead, the conduit locking device 100 may secure contents of theconduit, e.g., by holding existing cabling or the like in place withinthe conduit, or by preventing access, tampering, and the like to suchexisting cabling.

The housing 110 may be substantially cylindrical in shape. In thismanner, the conduit locking device 100 may include a substantiallycylindrically-shaped device with connectors (e.g., hydraulic connectors)on each end of the device for insertion and removal of the conduitlocking device 100 within a conduit. The conduit locking device 100 mayinclude one or more extendable slides 120, which may conform to thesubstantially cylindrical shape of the housing 110, or may be separatefrom the housing 110 but connected thereto, i.e., having independentshapes. In some implementations, the slides 120 are also or insteadsubstantially cylindrical in shape. The housing 110 and the slides 120may substantially center the conduit locking device 100 within a conduitwhile restricting the use of the conduit by utilizing most of theannular space of the conduit, where at least one of the slides 120 isactivated for securing the conduit locking device 100 through the use ofan actuator such as any of those described herein, e.g., an actuatorthat uses fluid pressure or the like to extend a slide 120. The conduitlocking device 100 may be manufactured to fit conduits of any size.

One or more of the first end 111 and the second end 112 may include aconnector 130 as shown in the figure. The connector 130 may bestructurally configured to engage with a tool to releasably place theconduit locking device 100 within a conduit. The connector 130 on one ormore of the first end 111 and the second end 112 of the housing 110 mayinclude a hydraulic connector or the like. In certain implementations,the first end 111 and the second end 112 of the housing 110 aresubstantially the same. In other implementations, the first end 111 andthe second end 112 of the housing 110 are different.

As stated above, the housing 110 may include one or more sidewalls 114.For example, the housing 110 may be substantially cylindrical, where thesidewall 114 are considered to be the curved surface of the cylindricalshape—thus, the conduit locking device 100 may have a single, continuoussidewall 114. The housing 110 may instead include another shape such asa polyhedron shape, where each side surface is considered to be anindividual sidewall 114. In general, the slides 120 form a part of, orare connected to, one or more of the sidewalls 114 for extension towardand away from a sidewall 114.

Thus, the slides 120 may be engaged to one or more of the sidewalls 114of the housing 110. At least one of the slides 120 may be movablerelative to the housing 110—i.e., toward and away from a sidewall 114 ofthe housing 110. To this end, a slide 120 may include an end portion 122structurally configured to engage with an inner wall of a conduit.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a conduit locking device,in accordance with a representative embodiment, which may be the same orsimilar to the conduit locking device 100 shown and described withreference to FIG. 1. Thus, FIG. 2 shows the conduit locking device 100having a housing 110 with one or more sidewalls 114 between a first end111 and a second end 112, and one or more slides 120 each having an endportion 122, where the end portion 122 is structurally configured toengage with an inner wall of a conduit.

As shown in the figure, a slide 120 may also include an extension arm224 that connects the slide 120 to the housing 110. The slide 120 may beextendable via the extension arm 224 from a first position substantiallyadjacent to a sidewall 114 of the housing 110 (e.g., the first positioncan be seen in FIG. 1) to a second position disposed away from asidewall 114 of the housing 110 (e.g., the second position can be seenin FIG. 2). When in the second position, the slide 120 may be configuredto retain the conduit locking device at a fixed position within theconduit through the engagement of the end portion 122 with an inner wallof a conduit.

Thus, the first position being “substantially adjacent to a sidewall114” shall be understood to mean that the slide 120 is closer to thesidewall 114 of the housing 110 in the first position than in the secondposition, where the slide 120 is disposed away from the sidewall 114 ofthe housing 110. In this manner, the slide 120 being “substantiallyadjacent to a sidewall 114” may include a condition where the slide 120or a surface thereof (e.g., the end portion 122) forms a part of thesidewall 114 of the housing 110, or a condition where the slide 120 ismerely disposed closer to the sidewall 114 of the housing 110 than whenthe slide 120 is in the second position.

When the conduit locking device 100 is installed within a conduit and atleast one of the slides 120 is in the second position, the conduitlocking device 100 may be structurally configured to prevent access by acable from a first location disposed upstream of the conduit lockingdevice 100 within the conduit (e.g., adjacent to the first end 111 ofthe conduit locking device 100) and a second location disposeddownstream of the conduit locking device 100 within the conduit (e.g.,adjacent to the second end 112 of the conduit locking device 100). Thus,one or more of the slides 120 and the conduit locking device 100 maygenerally be sized and shaped to have the conduit locking device 100utilize a predetermined portion of annular space within a conduit when aslide 120 is in the second position thereby restricting access between afirst location disposed upstream of the conduit locking device 100within the conduit and a second location disposed downstream of theconduit locking device 100 within the conduit.

As discussed herein, the slides 120 may be structurally configured toengage with one or more existing cables disposed within a conduit. Tothis end, the end portion 122 of the slides 120 may be structurallyconfigured to apply a force to one or more existing cables, e.g.,against an inner wall of the conduit. The end portion 122 of one or moreof the slides 120 may also or instead be structurally configured tobypass one or more existing cables. To this end, the cables may bedirected into a cavity 228 formed between the end portion 122 and asidewall 114 of the housing 110. Also, or instead, the end portion 122of one or more of the slides 120 may include a curved outer surface asshown in the figure. Such a curved outer surface can help deflect cablesaway from the end portion 122 and direct them into the cavity 228 whenthe slides 120 are moving away from the sidewalls 114, e.g., into thesecond position.

In certain implementations, at least one of the slides 120 is movable,and at least another one of the slides 120 is fixed. For example, only asingle slide 120 may be movable on a conduit locking device 100 from aplurality of slides 120 that are disposed thereon. Also, or instead, aconduit locking device 100 may only include a single slide 120, whichmay be movable. Alternatively, a conduit locking device 100 may includea plurality of slides 120, where each of the plurality of slides 120 ismovable such that all of the slides 120 on a conduit locking device 100are movable. It will be understood that any number of slides 120 ispossible, e.g., one, two, three, four, and so on, and any number ofthese slides 120 may be movable.

The conduit locking device 100 may include a fluid chamber 240 withinthe housing 110. For example, in certain implementations, the extensionarm 224 may include a piston 226 extending through at least one of thesidewalls 114 of the housing 110 and into the fluid chamber 240. Theconnector 130 may include a fluid pathway 232 between the fluid chamber240 and an external environment 202. The fluid pathway 232 may include avalve 234 or the like that permits fluid to be moved from a tool (e.g.,actuator or hose) into the fluid chamber 240 during a locking operationto pressurize the fluid chamber 240 thereby extending a slide 120 fromthe first position to the second position. Also, the valve 234 or thelike may permit fluid to be moved out of the fluid chamber 240 during areleasing operation thereby depressurizing the fluid chamber 240 andretracting the slide 120 from the second position to the first position.Thus, the conduit locking device 100 may be a hydraulic device incertain implementations. The valve 234 may include any as known in theart of hydraulic systems.

The conduit locking device 100 may include a seal 242 formed at aninterface of the piston 226 and a sidewall 114 of the housing 110. Theseal 242 may be structurally configured to prevent fluid from escapingthe housing 110 and into a conduit that is being locked and secured.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a conduit locking device, in accordancewith a representative embodiment, and FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up topview of a conduit locking device, in accordance with a representativeembodiment. The conduit locking devices 100 shown in these figures maybe the same or similar to the conduit locking device 100 shown anddescribed with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Specifically, FIG. 3shows a housing 110, slides 120 with corresponding end portions 122, anda connector 130. And FIG. 4 shows the housing 110 and a connector 130,where the connector 130 is surrounded by a beveled surface 402 orotherwise countersunk hole 404. Thus, in certain implementations, one ormore of the first end 111 and the second end 112 of the housing 110 mayinclude a countersunk hole 404 to facilitate alignment of a tool (e.g.,an end of a hose, an installation tool, a retraction tool, and the like)with the connector 130.

Thus, one or more ends of a conduit locking device 100 may includefeatures to promote alignment of the conduit locking device 100 with oneor more other components, e.g., components in a hydraulic system. Thisalignment may instead be provided by a separate alignment tool incertain implementations. Thus, an alignment tool may be used in thedevices, systems, and methods for locking a conduit as described herein.The alignment tool may include high-density polyethylene (HDPE) orpolyethylene high-density (PEHD) material of various sizes to fit theinternal diameter of most conduits, where the alignment tool has acountersunk hole to facilitate the hydraulic fitting of an end of aninsertion tool, an extraction tool, a hydraulic hose, and the like. Thediameter may center the conduit locking device 100 within the conduitalong with a beveled leading edge assisting with a successfulconnection.

FIG. 5 illustrates a conduit locking device, in accordance with arepresentative embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 5 shows a conduit lockingdevice 500, which may be the same or similar to those described above.Specifically, the conduit locking device 500 may include a housing 510having a first end 511, a second end 512, and a sidewall 514 disposedbetween the first end 511 and the second end 512. The conduit lockingdevice 500 may further include a first connector 530 on one or more ofthe first end 511 and the second end 512 of the housing 510, e.g., onboth ends of the housing 510 as shown in the figure. The conduit lockingdevice 500 may also include a slide 520 engaged with a sidewall 514 ofthe housing 510, where the slide 520 includes an end portion 522structurally configured to engage with an inner wall 505 of a conduit504. The slide 520 may further include an extension arm 524 such thatthe slide 520 is extendable via the extension arm 524 from a firstposition substantially adjacent to the sidewall 514 of the housing 510to a second position disposed away from the sidewall 514 of the housing510, where, when in the second position, the slide 520 is configured toretain the conduit locking device 500 at a fixed position within theconduit 504 through the engagement of the end portion 522 with the innerwall 505 of the conduit 504.

The conduit locking device 500 may also include one or more springelements 529 that apply a spring force to the slide 520, or otherwisebetween the slide 520 and the housing 510. For example, the spring forceapplied by a spring element 529 may urge the slide 520 toward thesidewall 514 during a releasing operation (or otherwise when not in alocking operation, or in a locked or locking state). A spring element529 may also or instead otherwise urge the slide 520, e.g., toward theinner wall 505 of the conduit 504 during a locking operation, or in alocked or locking state.

As discussed herein, one or more of the slides 520 may be movable, andone or more of the slides 520 may be fixed—e.g., the second slide 521shown in the figure may be fixed, while the other slide 520 pictured ismovable. Such a fixed second slide 521 may resemble the general size andshape of the movable slide 520, or it may have a different size andshape. In some implementations, only one slide 520 is provided and it ismovable.

The conduit locking device 500 may be part of a system as describedthroughout this disclosure. For example, each of the connectors on thefirst end 511 and the second end 512 may include a connection to ahydraulic component, such as a hose or the like. In this manner, theconduit locking device 500 may be one in a series of a plurality ofdevices in the system, where each is in fluid communication with oneanother, e.g., a primed hydraulic system where movement of a slide 520in one conduit locking device 500 may also move a slide in anotherdevice. Also, or instead, slides 520 in different devices may beindependently movable in a system. Further, conduit locking devices 500throughout a system may remain in fluid communication with one anotherduring use. In other implementations, one or more conduit lockingdevices 500 may be placed into a conduit 504 for locking the conduit504, and then other hydraulic components and tools may be removed, whilethe conduit locking device 500 remains. In this manner, the conduitlocking device 500 may be reconnected to hydraulic components and toolsfor removal of the conduit locking device 500 from the conduit 504.

FIG. 6 illustrates a hose of a hydraulic system, in accordance with arepresentative embodiment. The hose 650 may have a first hose end 651and a second hose end 652, where each of the ends of the hose 650 mayinclude a connector 653. For example, the first hose end 651 may includea second connector as described herein, which is structurally configuredfor engagement with a first connector of a conduit locking device asdescribed herein. Thus, the connector 653 on one or more of the ends ofthe hose 650 may include a hydraulic connector structurally configuredfor engagement with a corresponding hydraulic connector on anothercomponent, such as a conduit locking device or an actuator as describedherein. Each of the ends of the hose 650 may include the same connector653 (e.g., the second connector) or a different connector 653 as shownin the figure—e.g., different shapes or sizes of hydraulic connectorsfor connecting to different components.

The hose 650 may be structurally configured to insert a conduit lockingdevice within a conduit. Thus, the hose 650 may have a sufficientrigidity to push a conduit locking device to a desired position in aconduit, or the hose 650 may be used to pull a conduit locking devicethrough a conduit. The hose 650 may also or instead be structurallyconfigured to extract a conduit locking device from a conduit. Thus, theconnectors 653 disposed at both ends of the hose 650 may be structurallyconfigured for inserting a conduit locking device at a desired locationwithin a conduit, and for extracting a conduit locking device from thatlocation in a conduit. The hose 650 may remain in the conduit when theconduit locking device is in use, or the hose 650 may be extracted aftera conduit locking device is set into a desired location and lockedwithin a conduit.

The hose 650 may include an outer casing 654 and an inner tubing 656.The outer casing 654 may include a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material orthe like. The inner tubing 656 may include high-pressure tubing, e.g., ahigh-pressure rubber hose or the like. The hose 650 may be a variety oflengths in implementations—e.g., relatively short, such as between about8 feet to about 10 feet long, or relatively long such as about 100 feetor more. Other sizes are possible.

The hose 650 may act as, or be connected to, an insertion device for ahydraulic system. For example, and as described herein, a conduitlocking device may be inserted into a conduit through the end of theconduit, e.g., into an opening in the end of the conduit such as that inthe basement of a building. And, in some implementations, the conduitlocking device may be inserted into the conduit using an insertiondevice. For example, in an implementation, the insertion device mayinclude a pump having a pipe such as a PVC pipe that can provide adesired rigidness. A hose 650, such as a hydraulic hose or the like, maycarry a hydraulic fluid or the like from the pump to the conduit lockingdevice. As described herein, the position of the conduit locking devicewithin the conduit may vary, and the quantity of conduit locking deviceswithin a conduit may vary to satisfy an owner or user's purposes. Theconduit locking device may also or instead be inserted into the conduitby pulling the conduit locking device through the conduit, e.g., using afish tape or the like.

FIG. 7 illustrates an actuator of a hydraulic system, in accordance witha representative embodiment. The actuator 760 may be used to engage asecond hose end, where a first hose end is connected to a conduitlocking device as described herein. Generally, the actuator 760 may beactivatable to perform one or more of (i) dispersing fluid through ahose and into a fluid chamber of a conduit locking device, and (ii)receiving fluid into the hose from the fluid chamber of the conduitlocking device.

The actuator 760 may include a manual fluid pump as shown in the figure,where activating the manual fluid pump comprises movement of a lever 762or the like. Thus, the actuator 760 may include a barrel 766 (e.g., agrease tube or the like), an actuation device (e.g., a manual handle orlever 762 for pressing by a user), a gauge 764, and a connector 730.Other types of pumps may also or instead be used, e.g., electric pumpsand the like. A hydraulic piston, e.g., actuatable using a tool, mayalso or instead be used. In general, the actuator 760 may include apressure chamber that can deliver one or more types of fluids to aconduit locking device as described herein. To this end, the actuator760 may include a gauge 764, e.g., a pressure gauge for measuring anddisplaying pressure information for a hydraulic system.

Thus, an actuator 760 for engaging a conduit locking device to walls ofa conduit may use fluid pressure. The fluid pressure may be provided byan actuator 760 that is the same or similar to a manual grease pump orthe like as shown in the figure. The actuator 760 may also or insteadtake other forms, such as an electrically or mechanically operated pump.For example, the actuator 760 may also or instead include a hydraulicpiston that is activated electrically or manually. The fluid may enter afluid chamber within a conduit locking device to extend one or more ofthe slides toward the inner walls of a conduit.

FIG. 8 illustrates an extraction tool, in accordance with arepresentative embodiment. The extraction tool 800 may be used torelieve pressure on a conduit locking device, where the extraction tool800 may be used to extract the conduit locking device after pressure isreleased.

The extraction tool 800 may include one or more connectors 801 forconnecting to a first connector of a conduit locking device and a secondconnector of a hose in a hydraulic system—e.g., disposed between thehose and the conduit locking device. The extraction tool 800 may insteadbe connected directly to the conduit locking device. In general, theextraction tool 800 may be structurally configured to extract a conduitlocking device from a conduit. In some implementations, the extractiontool 800 may be omitted or the extraction tool 800 may be integral withanother component of a hydraulic system such as an actuator or ahydraulic hose.

The extraction tool 800 may include a second fluid chamber 802 in fluidcommunication with a valve 804 to transfer fluid from a fluid chamber ofa conduit locking device to the second fluid chamber 802 of theextraction tool 800 thereby depressurizing the fluid chamber of theconduit locking device. Thus, an extraction tool 800 may be used in thedevices, systems, and methods for locking a conduit as described herein.In some implementations, the extraction tool 800 may include a steelcylinder or the like with hydraulic fittings and a movable piston 806disposed in a body of the extraction tool 800. The extraction tool 800may be designed to relieve pressure from a conduit locking device and todeposit hydraulic fluid into its fluid chamber.

FIG. 9 illustrates the installation of a system for locking a conduit,in accordance with a representative embodiment. In general, the system900 may include one or more conduit locking devices 901 such as any asdescribed herein, where the conduit locking devices 901 are shown in thefigure as being installed into a conduit 904 from an externalenvironment 902. The system 900 may also include one or more hoses 950or other insertion tubes/devices/tools and one or more sensors 906.

In implementations, the installation of conduit locking devices 901 mayinclude inserting a conduit locking device 901 in a conduit 904,connecting fittings and control wires, inserting another conduit lockingdevice 901 in the conduit 904, connecting wires to sensors 906 or thelike, creating a predetermined pressure in the system 900 (e.g., to“prime” the system 900), and attaching control wires from sensors 906(e.g., shock and pressure sensors) to a control panel or controller.

The external environment 902 from which the conduit locking devices 901are installed may include a portion of a building such as a basement orthe like, where the conduit 904 includes an access point 905 or end. Theexternal environment 902 may also or instead include another area foraccessing a conduit 904, such as a manhole or the like.

The sensors 906 may include, without limitation, one or more of apressure sensor, a shock sensor, a location sensor, a capacitive sensor,an inductive sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor, aninfrared sensor, a temperature sensor, a moisture detection sensor, anacoustic or sound sensor, a vibration sensor, a chemical sensor (e.g.,oxygen, carbon-dioxide, and so on), a motion and proximity sensor, amagnetic sensor, a flow sensor, a radiation sensor, an imaging sensor, aforce sensor, an electrical current sensor, an environmental sensor, ahumidity sensor, a displacement sensor, and the like. In general, thesensors 906 may include a device to detect a presence or absence of anobject at a predetermined location—e.g., whether a certain cable ispresent or absent, or detecting infiltration of the conduit 904 by arogue object or person. The sensors 906 may also or instead include morecomplex sensing and processing systems or subsystems, such as athree-dimensional scanner using optical techniques (e.g., stereoscopicimaging, shape from motion imaging, and the like), structured lighttechniques, or any other suitable sensing and processing hardware thatmight extract information from a conduit 904 or its surroundings, e.g.,the external environment 902 or an internal environment within theconduit 904.

The system 900 may further include a releasing element 936 structurallyconfigured to disconnect a first connector 934 of the conduit lockingdevice 901 and the second connector 954 of a hose 950. The releasingelement 936 may be disposed on one or more of the first connector 936and the second connector 954. In some implementations, the releasingelement 936 includes a device similar to the extraction tool 800described with reference to FIG. 8. The releasing element 936 may alsoor instead include a simpler device such as a release pin, button, knob,screw threads, quick disconnect device, and so on. Thus, in someimplementations, the releasing element 936 or the like may provide forremoval of one or more of the hoses 950 or other components of thesystem 900 from the conduit 904, e.g., after the installation of one ormore of the conduit locking devices 901. In other implementations, oneor more of the hoses 950 may remain in the conduit 904, e.g., after theinstallation of one or more of the conduit locking devices 901.

In certain implementations, upon gaining access to the conduit 904 to besecured, e.g., by entering a manhole or a hand hole, the internaldiameter of the conduit 904 may be determined along with the material ofthe conduit, e.g., HDPE, steel, PVC, and so on. The length of theconduit 904 may be determined, where any or all of this information canassist with the selection of the type, size, and desired number ofconduit locking devices 901 to achieve a desired goal. For example, if aconduit 904 is readily accessible through its entire length, a pluralityof conduit locking devices 901 may provide improved security.

The conduit locking devices 901 for the desired application may then beselected, e.g., based on size (such as the diameter of the conduit 904),material, or otherwise. An insertion tool or the like may be connectedto one or more of the conduit locking devices 901, or the conduitlocking devices 901 may be attached to one or more hoses 950, and theconduit locking devices 901 may begin to be installed in the conduit904. After installing a desired number of conduit locking devices 901 indesired locations, an actuation device may be attached or activated. Forexample, a manual pump may be connected, where the manual pump is usedto pressurize the system 900 to a predetermined pressure rating (e.g.,based on the conduit locking devices 901 or the length of the conduit904). The actuation device may then be released and removed from thelast installed conduit locking devices 901, hose 950, or insertion tool.

Stated otherwise, the desired number of conduit locking devices 901 maybe installed in a conduit 904, where the conduit locking devices 901 maycommunicate with one another or operate independently of one another.Installing the desired number of conduit locking devices 901 may includeinstalling any controls or control wiring, e.g., to communicate with thesensors 906 or other components of the system 900. After the desirednumber of conduit locking devices 901 are installed, an actuator such asa pump (e.g., a manual pump) may be attached, where the pump isconfigured to pressurize the system to a predetermined pressure rating.The pump may be released and removed after installation of the system900 in an embodiment. An actuator may also or instead include ahydraulic cylinder or the like that is activated to pressurize thesystem 900 and lock the conduit locking devices 901 in place. Controlwires such as sensor control wires (e.g., for a shock sensor or thelike) and pressure switch control wires may be connected from theconduit locking devices 901 to a control panel, a controller, or thelike (and/or between multiple conduit locking devices 901).

The procedure for removal of the conduit locking devices 901 may be theopposite of the installation procedure, but may also include the use ofan extraction tool and alignment tool. In an implementation, analignment tool may be attached to an extraction device and then to aninsertion tool. The alignment tool may center itself within a conduit904 and then press forward on the insertion tool to complete theconnection to a conduit locking device 901. The actuator (e.g., manualpump) may be attached to the insertion tool, where it is activated,e.g., a lever is pressed until a piston inside the extraction toolactivates to release the pressure on a conduit locking device 901, wherethe fluid or the like may be deposited into a fluid chamber of theextraction tool and be connected by the hydraulic fitting for removal. Atool or the like (e.g., an actuation tool) may also or instead be usedto operate a hydraulic cylinder or the like to depressurize the system900 and unlock the conduit locking devices 901.

FIG. 10 illustrates a system for locking a conduit, in accordance with arepresentative embodiment. As shown in the figure, the system 1000 mayinclude one or more conduit locking devices 1001, one or more hoses1050, an actuator 1060, a controller 1070 having a processor 1072 and amemory 1074, a control panel 1076, control wiring 1078, a communicationsinterface 1080, sensors 1006 (e.g., integrated shock sensors), an endcap 1090, and so on, where one or more of the components of the system1000 are in communication or are otherwise connected over a network1008. The system 1000 may be used to secure and monitor a conduit 1004with or without existing cables included therein.

As described herein, the conduit locking devices 1001 may include ahousing having a first end, a second end, and one or more sidewallsdisposed between the first end and the second end. The conduit lockingdevices 1001 may further include a first connector 1030 on one or moreof the first end and the second end of the housing. The conduit lockingdevices 1001 may also include one or more slides 1020 engaged with asidewall of the housing. At least one of the slides 1020 may include anend portion structurally configured to engage with an inner wall of aconduit 1004 and an extension arm, where the slide 1020 is extendablevia the extension arm from a first position substantially adjacent to asidewall of the housing to a second position disposed away from thesidewall of the housing. When in the second position, the slide 1020 maybe configured to retain the conduit locking device 1001 at a fixedposition within the conduit 1004 through the engagement of the endportion with the inner wall of the conduit 1004.

The conduit locking devices 1001 may also include a fluid chamber withinthe housing. The extension arm may thus include a piston extendingthrough a sidewall of the housing and into the fluid chamber. The firstconnector 1030 may include a fluid pathway between the fluid chamber andan external environment (e.g., one of the hoses 1050). The fluid pathwaymay include a valve 1034 permitting fluid to be moved into the fluidchamber during a locking operation to pressurize the fluid chamberthereby extending the slide 1020 from the first position to the secondposition. The valve 1034 may also or instead permit fluid to be movedout of the fluid chamber during a releasing operation therebydepressurizing the fluid chamber and retracting the slide 1020 from thesecond position to the first position.

It will be understood that the valve 1034 may be an independentcomponent in the system 1000 as shown in the figure, or the valve may beincluded on, or integral with, another component of the system 1000. Forexample, in an implementation, the valve is part of the actuator 1060.To this end, the actuator 1060 may be the component in the system 1000that permits fluid to be moved into the fluid chamber during a lockingoperation to pressurize the fluid chamber thereby extending the slide1020 from the first position to the second position, as well as thecomponent that permits fluid to be moved out of the fluid chamber duringa releasing operation thereby depressurizing the fluid chamber andretracting the slide 1020 from the second position to the firstposition.

The system 1000 may also include a hydraulic system or subsystem coupledto the conduit locking device 1001, where the hydraulic system mayinclude one or more hoses 1050 and one or more actuators 1060.

As described herein, the hose 1050 may have a first hose end 1051 and asecond hose end 1052. The first hose end 1051 may include a secondconnector 1054 structurally configured for engagement with the firstconnector 1030 of a conduit locking device 1001.

In the system 1000, and as described herein, the first connector 1030may be disposed within a countersunk hole or the like on one or more ofthe first end and the second end of the housing of a conduit lockingdevice 1001. In this manner, if the second connector 1054 includes abeveled end or the like, the second connector 1054 can be more easilyengaged with the first connector 1030, e.g., by being guided by thecountersunk hole or the like.

The actuator 1060 may be engaged to the second hose end 1052, where theactuator 1060 is selectively activatable to perform one or more of: (i)dispersing fluid through the hose 1050 and into the fluid chamber of theconduit locking device 1001 when the hose 1050 is connected to theconduit locking device 1001, and (ii) receiving fluid into the hose 1050from the fluid chamber of the conduit locking device 1001 when the hose1050 is connected to the conduit locking device 1001.

The actuator 1060 may be any as described herein. For example, theactuator 1060 may include one or more of a hydraulic cylinder and apump. Thus, the actuator 1060 may include a hydraulic piston containedwithin a hydraulic cylinder. The actuator 1060 may also or insteadinclude an activator 1062 operable to activate the actuator 1060 or acomponent thereof. For example, the activator 1062 may be in cooperationwith a hydraulic piston, where the activator 1062 is operable to movethe hydraulic piston. The system 1000 may further include a tool 1064structurally configured to engage and actuate the activator 1062. Thetool 1064 may include a key to cooperate with the activator 1062. Forexample, the tool 1064 may include a ratcheting device or the likehaving a specially-keyed end for engagement with the activator 1062. Insome implementations, turning the activator 1062 (e.g., using the tool1064) may result in translation or other movement of a component of theactuator 1060 such as a hydraulic piston contained within a hydrauliccylinder. In some implementations, the actuator 1060 may be coupled to,or integral with, the end cap 1090.

The system 1000 may thus further include an end cap 1090 structurallyconfigured to engage with an end of the conduit 1004. The end cap 1090may be actuatable to seal the end of the conduit 1004. The end cap 1090may also or instead be lockable on the end of the conduit 1004, e.g., inthe sealed state. As stated above, the actuator 1060 may be at leastpartially contained on or within the end cap 1090.

As described herein, the system 1000 may include one or more sensors1006. A sensor 1006 may be disposed on at least one of the conduitlocking device 1001, a component of the hydraulic system (e.g., a valve1034, a hose 1050, a connector, and so on), the conduit 1004, the endcap 1090, and so on. The sensors 1006 may be in communication with thecontroller 1070. The sensors 1006 may include any as described herein,e.g., at least one of a pressure sensor and a shock sensor.

The controller 1070 may include, or otherwise be in communication with,a processor 1072, a memory 1074, a control panel 1076, and controlwiring 1078 for controlling one or more of the components of the system1000. Thus, in general, the controller 1070 may be electronicallycoupled (e.g., wired or wirelessly) in a communicating relationship withone or more of the conduit locking devices 1001, the sensors 1006, thehose 1050 or connectors, the actuator 1060, the end cap 1090, and othercomponents of the system 1000. The controller 1070 may be operable tocontrol one or more of the components of the system 1000.

The controller 1070 may be configured to lock and unlock the conduitlocking devices 1001 or to otherwise control the hydraulic components ofthe system 1000, e.g., based on signals received from one or more of thesensors 1006, or instructions received from a user or otherwise. Ingeneral, the controller 1070 may be electrically coupled in acommunicating relationship, e.g., an electronic communication, with anyof the components of the system 1000. In general, the controller 1070may be operable to control the components of the system 1000, and mayinclude any combination of software and/or processing circuitry suitablefor controlling the various components of the system 1000 describedherein including without limitation processors 1072, microprocessors,microcontrollers, application-specific integrated circuits, programmablegate arrays, and any other digital and/or analog components, as well ascombinations of the foregoing, along with inputs and outputs fortransceiving control signals, drive signals, power signals, sensorsignals, and the like. In certain implementations, the controller 1070may include the processor 1072 or other processing circuitry withsufficient computational power to provide related functions such asexecuting an operating system, providing a graphical user interface(e.g., to a display coupled to the control panel 1076 or anothercomponent of the system 1000), set and provide rules and instructionsfor operation of the conduit locking device 1001 or another component ofthe system 1000, convert sensed information into instructions,notifications, and the like, and operate a web server or otherwise hostremote operators and/or activity through one or more communicationsinterfaces 1080 described below. In certain implementations, thecontroller 1070 may include a printed circuit board, an Arduinocontroller or similar, a Raspberry Pi controller or the like, aprototyping board, or other computer related components.

The controller 1070 may be a local controller disposed on a conduitlocking device 1001 or another component of the system 1000, or a remotecontroller 1070 otherwise in communication with the system 1000 and itscomponents. For example, one or more of the controller 1070 and a userinterface in communication with the controller 1070 may be disposed onan external component (e.g., a computing device 1082) in communicationwith the system 1000 over a data network 1008.

The processor 1072 of the controller 1070 may include an onboardprocessor for the conduit locking device 1001 or another component ofthe system 1000. The processor 1072 may also or instead be disposed on aseparate computing device 1082 that is connected to the system 1000 orone or more of its components through a data network 1008, e.g., usingthe communications interface 1080, which may include a Wi-Fi transmitterand receiver. The processor 1072 may perform calculations, e.g., formoving the conduit locking devices 1001 between locked and unlockedconfigurations.

The processor 1072 may be any as described herein or otherwise known inthe art. The processor 1072 may be included on the controller 1070, orit may be separate from the controller 1070, e.g., it may be included ona computing device 1082 in communication with the controller 1070 oranother component of the system 1000. In an implementation, theprocessor 1072 is included on, or is in communication with, a serverthat hosts an application for operating and controlling the system 1000.

The memory 1074 may be any as described herein or otherwise known in theart. The memory 1074 may contain computer code and may store data suchas sequences of positioning for the conduit locking devices 1001,sequences for notifications and alerts, and so on. The memory 1074 maycontain computer executable code stored thereon that providesinstructions for the processor 1072 for implementation. The memory 1074may include a non-transitory computer readable medium.

The system 1000 may further include a computing device 1082 incommunication with one or more of the components of the system 1000including without limitation the controller 1070. The computing device1082 may include a user interface 1084 (or the user interface 1084 maybe included on the control panel 1076 or elsewhere in the system 1000),e.g., in communication with the controller 1070. The user interface 1084may be used, e.g., to lock and unlock the conduit locking devices 1001,monitor the system 1000, or otherwise.

The computing device 1082 may include any devices within the system 1000operated by operators or otherwise to manage, monitor, communicate with,or otherwise interact with other participants in the system 1000. Thismay include desktop computers, laptop computers, network computers,tablets, smartphones, smart watches, PDAs, or any other device that canparticipate in the system 1000 as contemplated herein. In animplementation, the computing device 1082 (and a user interface 1084thereof) is integral with another participant in the system 1000.

The computing device 1082 may generally provide a user interface 1084,which may include a graphical user interface, a text or command lineinterface, a voice-controlled interface, and/or a gesture-basedinterface. In general, the user interface 1084 may create a suitabledisplay on the computing device 1082 for operator interaction. Inimplementations, the user interface 1084 may control operation of one ormore of the components of the system 1000, as well as provide access toand communication with the controller 1070, processor 1072, and otherresources.

The user interface 1084 may be maintained by a locally executingapplication on the computing device 1082 that receives data from one ormore of the components of the system 1000 or other resources. In otherembodiments, the user interface 1084 may be remotely served andpresented on a computing device 1082, such as where the controller 1070includes a web server that provides information through one or more webpages or the like that can be displayed within a web browser or similarclient executing on the computing device 1082. In implementations, theuser interface 1084 may also or instead be provided by and/or disposedon another participant in the system 1000.

The data network 1008 may be any network(s) or internetwork(s) suitablefor communicating data and control information among participants in thesystem 1000. This may include public networks such as the Internet,private networks, telecommunications networks such as the PublicSwitched Telephone Network or cellular networks using third generation(e.g., 3G or IMT-2000), fourth generation (e.g., LTE (E-UTRA) orWiMAX-Advanced (IEEE 802.16m) and/or other technologies, as well as anyof a variety of corporate area or local area networks and otherswitches, routers, hubs, gateways, and the like that might be used tocarry data among participants in the system 1000. The data network 1008may include wired or wireless networks, or any combination thereof. Oneskilled in the art will also recognize that the participants shown thesystem 1000 need not be connected by a data network 1008, and thus canbe configured to work in conjunction with other participants independentof the data network 1008.

Communication over the data network 1008, or other communication betweencomponents of the devices or systems described herein, may be providedvia one or more communications interfaces 1080. The communicationsinterface 1080 may include, e.g., a Wi-Fi receiver and transmitter toallow the logic calculations to be performed on a separate computingdevice 1082. This may include connections to smartphone applications andthe like. More generally, the communications interface 1080 may besuited such that any of the components of the system 1000 cancommunicate with one another. Thus, the communications interface 1080may be present on one or more of the components of the system 1000. Thecommunications interface 1080 may include, or be connected in acommunicating relationship with, a network interface or the like. Thecommunications interface 1080 may include any combination of hardwareand software suitable for coupling the components of the system 1000 toa remote device (e.g., a computing device 1082 such as a remote computeror the like) in a communicating relationship through a data network1008. By way of example and not limitation, this may include electronicsfor a wired or wireless Ethernet connection operating according to theIEEE 802.11 standard (or any variation thereof), or any other short orlong range wireless networking components or the like. This may includehardware for short range data communications such as Bluetooth or aninfrared transceiver, which may be used to couple into a local areanetwork or the like that is in turn coupled to a data network such asthe internet. This may also or instead include hardware/software for aWiMAX connection or a cellular network connection (using, e.g., CDMA,GSM, LTE, or any other suitable protocol or combination of protocols).Additionally, the controller 1070 may be configured to controlparticipation by the components of the system 1000 in any network towhich the communications interface 1080 is connected, such as byautonomously connecting to the data network 1008 to retrieve statusupdates and the like.

The system 1000 may include other hardware 1086. In certainimplementations, the other hardware 1086 may include a camera or thelike. The camera may allow a user to view the conduit 1004 in real-time,or to view recorded information, where such information may be stored onthe memory 1074. This can enable a user to gauge the performance of thesystem 1000.

The other hardware 1086 may also or instead include a power source. Thepower source may be any known in the art or that will become known inthe art. For example, power sources may include an AC to DC converter(e.g., grid power), solar power, battery power, wind power, fossil fuelsourced power, and so on.

The other hardware 1086 may also or instead include input devices suchas a keyboard, a touchpad, a computer mouse, a switch, a dial, a button,and the like, as well as output devices such as a display, a speaker orother audio transducer, light emitting diodes or other lighting ordisplay components, and the like. Other hardware 1086 of system 1000 mayalso or instead include a variety of cable connections and/or hardwareadapters for connecting to, e.g., external computers, external hardware,external instrumentation or data acquisition systems, and the like.

In general, the system 1000 may include communication of one or morecomponents therein over a network 1008, wired or wireless. This mayinclude a self-healing network, such as a mesh network based onlow-power Bluetooth or the like. The system 1000 may include automaticalerts sent to users, e.g., when one or more of the sensors 1006 aretriggered. The system 1000 may integrate with a graphical user interfaceon a computing device 1082 such as a computer, control station, ormobile phone. The system 1000 may perform analytics—e.g., long-termanalytics. The system 1000 may recognize patterns, e.g., using baselinepattern recognition. The system 1000 may be able to locate suspectedpenetrations or faults in the conduit 1004, e.g., via sensor proximityrules. The system 1000 may be able to detect other anomalies. The system1000 may be capable of modeling and training sensor sensitivity forlocal activity to reduce false positives. The system 1000 may be awareof patches (e.g., of three or more neighbor patches), and those inadjacent conduits. The system 1000 may include one or more alarms, whichcan be triggered by the one or more sensors 1006. The system 1000 may becapable of being placed in one or more modes, such as an armed mode, amaintenance mode, a secure conduit mode, an unsecure conduit mode, andthe like.

The system 1000 may be charged or primed such that actuating a hydraulicpiston or the like will activate one or more of the conduit lockingdevices 1000 in the conduit 1004. The system 1000 may include one ormore conduit locking devices 1001, where the conduit locking devices1001 may include a connected device to be utilized individually or intandem throughout the conduit 1004.

FIG. 11 illustrates an end cap 1100, in accordance with a representativeembodiment. Further, FIG. 12 illustrates a top view of the end cap 1100,and FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the end cap 1100, inaccordance with representative embodiments. The end cap 1100 may bestructurally configured to engage with an end of a conduit 1104, wherethe end cap 1100 is actuatable to seal or lock the end of the conduit1104. The end cap 1100 may include an activator 1162 and one or moresealing lugs 1166, as best shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. Further, systemsdescribed herein may include an activator tool 1164 for engagement withthe activator 1162. Also, as stated above, the actuator 1360 may be atleast partially contained on the end cap 1100—e.g., the end cap 1100 mayinclude a hydraulic cylinder 1306 with a piston 1308 disposed therein asbest shown in FIG. 13.

As shown in the FIGS. 11-13, the actuator 1360 may include a hydraulicpiston 1308 contained within a hydraulic cylinder 1306. The activator1162 may be in cooperation with the hydraulic piston 1306, where theactivator 1162 is operable to move the hydraulic piston 1306, therebymoving fluid in a hydraulic system, e.g., for locking and unlockingconduit locking devices as described herein.

The activator tool 1164 may be structurally configured to engage andactuate the activator 1162. In some implementations, the activator 1162is specifically configured such that it can only be activated usingcertain tools. Thus, the activator tool 1164 may include a key tocooperate with the activator 1162—e.g., a mechanical, electrical, orcomputer-activated key. In certain implementations, the activator tool1164 may include a ratcheting device, such as one specificallyconfigured to turn the activator 1162 thereby moving the hydraulicpiston 1306 of the actuator 1360. The activator tool 1164 may include akey for cooperation with the activator 1162, where the key isspecifically configured for cooperation with the activator 1162. Theactivator 1162 may cooperate with a hydraulic cylinder 1306 foractuation thereof. For example, the activator 1162 may be rotated, wheresuch rotation moves a hydraulic piston 1308 within the hydrauliccylinder 1306 thereby displacing hydraulic fluid disposed therein foractuating one or more of the conduit locking devices, which may be incommunication with the hydraulic cylinder 1306 through tubing or thelike.

Thus, the end cap 1100 may include a hydraulic cylinder 1306, which maybe in fluid communication with an end of a hydraulic hose or similar. Inthis manner, the hydraulic cylinder 1306 may be actuatable to move fluidinto and out of a hose, i.e., via movement of a piston 1308 that ismovably disposed within the hydraulic cylinder 1306. And, as describedabove, the activator 1162 may be engaged with an outer surface of theend cap 1100, where movement of the activator 1162 providescorresponding movement of the piston 1308 within the hydraulic cylinder1306. Further, the activator 1162 may include one or more mechanicalfeatures such that the activator 1162 is mechanically encoded or keyedfor a specific (e.g., unique) activator tool 1164. This may prevent ormitigate tampering by unauthorized individuals.

As stated above, the end cap 1100 may be lockable and sealable on theend of a conduit 1104. To this end, the end cap 1100 may include sealinglugs 1166 or the like that can expand and contract a seal 1168 thatengages with an inner diameter of the conduit 1104. This can assist inproviding tamper prevention for the conduit 1104. The seal 1168 may beexpandable through tightening of one or more of the sealing lugs 1166,and collapsible through loosening of one or more of the sealing lugs1166. Thus, the seal 1168 may be able to move to form a compression sealwith the conduit 1104. This may keep unwanted material from entering orexiting the conduit 1104. The end cap 1100 may also include one or moreholes therethrough for allowing the passage of cabling and the like.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart of a method for locking a conduit, in accordancewith a representative embodiment. The method 1400 may include the use ofany of the devices (e.g., conduit locking devices) and systems describedherein.

As shown in block 1402, the method 1400 may include connecting a conduitlocking device to a hose. The conduit locking device may be any asdescribed herein. For example, the conduit locking device may include ahousing having a first end, a second end, and one or more sidewallsdisposed between the first end and the second end. The conduit lockingdevice may also include a connector on one or more of the first end andthe second end of the housing, where connecting the conduit lockingdevice to the hose includes engaging the connector with a secondconnector disposed on the hose. The conduit locking device may furtherinclude one or more slides engaged with a sidewall of the housing, whereat least one of the slides includes an end portion structurallyconfigured to engage with an inner wall of the conduit and an extensionarm, where the slide is extendable via the extension arm from a firstposition substantially adjacent to a sidewall of the housing to a secondposition disposed away from the sidewall of the housing. The conduitlocking device may also include a fluid chamber within the housing,where the extension arm includes a piston extending through the sidewallof the housing and into the fluid chamber. The connector may include afluid pathway between the fluid chamber and an external environment,where the fluid pathway includes a valve or the like that permits fluidto be moved into the fluid chamber to pressurize the fluid chamberduring a locking operation, and where the valve permits fluid to bemoved out of the fluid chamber during a releasing operation therebydepressurizing the fluid chamber.

As shown in block 1404, the method 1400 may include inserting theconduit locking device into the conduit. Inserting the conduit lockingdevice into the conduit may include manually moving the conduit lockingdevice through the conduit. The method 1400 may further includeinserting one or more additional conduit locking devices into theconduit.

As shown in block 1406, the method 1400 may include extending a slide ofthe conduit locking device. This may be accomplished by pressurizing thefluid chamber thereby extending the slide from the first position to thesecond position to lock the conduit.

As described herein, the hose may include a first hose end and a secondhose end. The first hose end may include the second connector, where thesecond hose end is connected to an actuator. Thus, pressurizing thefluid chamber may include activating the actuator to move fluid throughthe hose and into the fluid chamber of the conduit locking device.

As shown in block 1408, the method 1400 may include disconnecting theconduit locking device from the hose and removing the hose from theconduit. Thus, in some implementations, conduit locking devices may beinstalled in a conduit, locked in place (e.g., by extending a hydraulicarm or slide of the conduit locking device by moving fluid from a hoseinto a fluid chamber of the conduit locking device), and then thecomponent(s) used to install and lock the conduit locking device may beremoved from the conduit. Alternatively, some or all of the component(s)used to install and lock the conduit locking device may remain in theconduit while the conduit locking device or system is in use.

As shown in block 1410, the method 1400 may include sealing the conduit.This may include the use of an end cap as described herein. It will beunderstood that “sealing the conduit” in this context may includepreventing or limiting encroachment or access into the conduit byunwanted persons, components, or equipment. Thus, in certainimplementations, an end cap may be installed on the end of a conduit (orotherwise within the conduit), and then the end cap may be locked inplace. This can be accomplished through the use of a special tool thatengages the end cap to the walls of the conduit (e.g., the inner orouter walls of the conduit).

As shown in block 1412, the method 1400 may include sensing a conditionof interest related to the conduit. For example, the condition ofinterest may be related to a presence or absence of an object orsubstance, a breach or unauthorized access of the conduit, a pressurechange, an acoustic event, a temperature change, a humidity change, anapplied force or shock, a movement, a leak, and so on. The condition ofinterest may thus relate to security or safety.

As shown in block 1414, the method 1400 may include transmitting anotification to a user regarding the condition of interest. Thenotification may be sent to a computing device such as a user's mobiledevice. The notification may also or instead be transmitted to a controlpanel, graphical user interface, and so on.

As shown in block 1416, the method 1400 may include retracting a slideof the conduit locking device. This may include releasing pressure fromthe conduit locking device thereby retracting a slide from the secondposition to the first position as described herein. Releasing pressurefrom the conduit locking device may include receiving fluid into a hose(or other hydraulic component) from the fluid chamber of the conduitlocking device.

As shown in block 1418, the method 1400 may include removing the conduitlocking device from the conduit.

In general, the conduit locking devices described herein may behydraulically activated and deactivated for locking a conduit. Theconduit locking devices may include, or may be in communication with,one or more sensors for monitoring a status of one or more of theconduit locking devices themselves, the conduit, and cables includedtherein. Because there may be a plurality of conduit locking devicesincluded in a system, the conduit may be monitored in a plurality oflocations or over one or more distances.

The above systems, devices, methods, processes, and the like may berealized in hardware, software, or any combination of these suitable fora particular application. The hardware may include a general-purposecomputer and/or dedicated computing device. This includes realization inone or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, embeddedmicrocontrollers, programmable digital signal processors or otherprogrammable devices or processing circuitry, along with internal and/orexternal memory. This may also, or instead, include one or moreapplication specific integrated circuits, programmable gate arrays,programmable array logic components, or any other device or devices thatmay be configured to process electronic signals. It will further beappreciated that a realization of the processes or devices describedabove may include computer-executable code created using a structuredprogramming language such as C, an object oriented programming languagesuch as C++, or any other high-level or low-level programming language(including assembly languages, hardware description languages, anddatabase programming languages and technologies) that may be stored,compiled or interpreted to run on one of the above devices, as well asheterogeneous combinations of processors, processor architectures, orcombinations of different hardware and software. In another aspect, themethods may be embodied in systems that perform the steps thereof, andmay be distributed across devices in a number of ways. At the same time,processing may be distributed across devices such as the various systemsdescribed above, or all of the functionality may be integrated into adedicated, standalone device or other hardware. In another aspect, meansfor performing the steps associated with the processes described abovemay include any of the hardware and/or software described above. Allsuch permutations and combinations are intended to fall within the scopeof the present disclosure.

Embodiments disclosed herein may include computer program productscomprising computer-executable code or computer-usable code that, whenexecuting on one or more computing devices, performs any and/or all ofthe steps thereof. The code may be stored in a non-transitory fashion ina computer memory, which may be a memory from which the program executes(such as random-access memory associated with a processor), or a storagedevice such as a disk drive, flash memory or any other optical,electromagnetic, magnetic, infrared or other device or combination ofdevices. In another aspect, any of the systems and methods describedabove may be embodied in any suitable transmission or propagation mediumcarrying computer-executable code and/or any inputs or outputs fromsame.

It will be appreciated that the devices, systems, and methods describedabove are set forth by way of example and not of limitation. Absent anexplicit indication to the contrary, the disclosed steps may bemodified, supplemented, omitted, and/or re-ordered without departingfrom the scope of this disclosure. Numerous variations, additions,omissions, and other modifications will be apparent to one of ordinaryskill in the art. In addition, the order or presentation of method stepsin the description and drawings above is not intended to require thisorder of performing the recited steps unless a particular order isexpressly required or otherwise clear from the context.

The method steps of the implementations described herein are intended toinclude any suitable method of causing such method steps to beperformed, consistent with the patentability of the following claims,unless a different meaning is expressly provided or otherwise clear fromthe context. So, for example, performing the step of X includes anysuitable method for causing another party such as a remote user, aremote processing resource (e.g., a server or cloud computer) or amachine to perform the step of X. Similarly, performing steps X, Y, andZ may include any method of directing or controlling any combination ofsuch other individuals or resources to perform steps X, Y, and Z toobtain the benefit of such steps. Thus, method steps of theimplementations described herein are intended to include any suitablemethod of causing one or more other parties or entities to perform thesteps, consistent with the patentability of the following claims, unlessa different meaning is expressly provided or otherwise clear from thecontext. Such parties or entities need not be under the direction orcontrol of any other party or entity, and need not be located within aparticular jurisdiction.

It should further be appreciated that the methods above are provided byway of example. Absent an explicit indication to the contrary, thedisclosed steps may be modified, supplemented, omitted, and/orre-ordered without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

It will be appreciated that the methods and systems described above areset forth by way of example and not of limitation. Numerous variations,additions, omissions, and other modifications will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art. In addition, the order or presentation ofmethod steps in the description and drawings above is not intended torequire this order of performing the recited steps unless a particularorder is expressly required or otherwise clear from the context. Thus,while particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that various changes andmodifications in form and details may be made therein without departingfrom the scope of this disclosure and are intended to form a part of thedisclosure as defined by the following claims, which are to beinterpreted in the broadest sense allowable by law.

The various representative embodiments, which have been described indetail herein, have been presented by way of example and not by way oflimitation. It will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made in the form and details of the describedembodiments resulting in equivalent embodiments that remain within thescope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A conduit locking device, comprising: a housingcomprising a first end, a second end, and one or more sidewalls disposedbetween the first end and the second end; one or more slides engagedwith the one or more sidewalls of the housing, at least one of the oneor more slides comprising an end portion structurally configured toengage with an inner wall of a conduit and an extension arm, the atleast one of the one or more slides extendable via the extension armfrom a first position substantially adjacent to the one or moresidewalls of the housing to a second position disposed away from the oneor more sidewalls of the housing, where, when in the second position,the at least one of the one or more slides is configured to retain theconduit locking device at a fixed position within the conduit throughthe engagement of the end portion with the inner wall of the conduit;and a connector on one or more of the first end and the second end ofthe housing, the connector structurally configured to engage with a toolto releasably place the housing within the conduit.
 2. The conduitlocking device of claim 1, further comprising a fluid chamber within thehousing, the extension arm comprising a piston extending through atleast one of the one or more sidewalls of the housing and into the fluidchamber, and the connector comprising a fluid pathway between the fluidchamber and an external environment, the fluid pathway comprising avalve permitting fluid to be moved from the tool into the fluid chamberduring a locking operation to pressurize the fluid chamber therebyextending the at least one of the one or more slides from the firstposition to the second position, and the valve permitting fluid to bemoved out of the fluid chamber during a releasing operation therebydepressurizing the fluid chamber and retracting the at least one of theone or more slides from the second position to the first position. 3.The conduit locking device of claim 2, further comprising a seal formedat an interface of the piston and the one or more sidewalls of thehousing.
 4. The conduit locking device of claim 1, where, when theconduit locking device is installed within the conduit and at least oneof the one or more slides is in the second position, the conduit lockingdevice is structurally configured to prevent access by a cable from afirst location disposed upstream of the conduit locking device withinthe conduit and a second location disposed downstream of the conduitlocking device within the conduit.
 5. The conduit locking device ofclaim 1, where the one or more slides are structurally configured toengage with one or more existing cables disposed within a conduit. 6.The conduit locking device of claim 5, where the end portion of the oneor more slides is structurally configured to apply a force to the one ormore existing cables against the inner wall of the conduit.
 7. Theconduit locking device of claim 5, where the end portion of the one ormore slides is structurally configured to bypass the one or moreexisting cables into a cavity formed between the end portion and the oneor more sidewalls of the housing.
 8. The conduit locking device of claim1, where the one or more slides are sized and shaped to utilize apredetermined portion of annular space within the conduit when in thesecond position thereby restricting access between a first locationdisposed upstream of the conduit locking device within the conduit and asecond location disposed downstream of the conduit locking device withinthe conduit.
 9. The conduit locking device of claim 1, where one or moreof the first end and the second end of the housing comprises acountersunk hole to facilitate alignment of a tool with a connector. 10.The conduit locking device of claim 1, where a connector on one or moreof the first end and the second end of the housing comprises a hydraulicconnector.
 11. The conduit locking device of claim 1, where the at leastone of the one or more slides is movable, and where at least another oneof the one or more slides is fixed.
 12. A conduit locking device,comprising: a housing comprising a first end, a second end, and one ormore sidewalls disposed between the first end and the second end, whereone or more of the first end and the second end of the housing comprisesa countersunk hole to facilitate alignment of a tool with a connector;and one or more slides engaged with the one or more sidewalls of thehousing, at least one of the one or more slides comprising an endportion structurally configured to engage with an inner wall of aconduit and an extension arm, the at least one of the one or more slidesextendable via the extension arm from a first position substantiallyadjacent to the one or more sidewalls of the housing to a secondposition disposed away from the one or more sidewalls of the housing,where, when in the second position, the at least one of the one or moreslides is configured to retain the conduit locking device at a fixedposition within the conduit through the engagement of the end portionwith the inner wall of the conduit.
 13. The conduit locking device ofclaim 12, further comprising a connector on one or more of the first endand the second end of the housing, the connector structurally configuredto engage with a tool to releasably place the housing within theconduit.
 14. The conduit locking device of claim 13, further comprisinga fluid chamber within the housing, the extension arm comprising apiston extending through at least one of the one or more sidewalls ofthe housing and into the fluid chamber, and the connector comprising afluid pathway between the fluid chamber and an external environment, thefluid pathway comprising a valve permitting fluid to be moved from thetool into the fluid chamber during a locking operation to pressurize thefluid chamber thereby extending the at least one of the one or moreslides from the first position to the second position, and the valvepermitting fluid to be moved out of the fluid chamber during a releasingoperation thereby depressurizing the fluid chamber and retracting the atleast one of the one or more slides from the second position to thefirst position.
 15. The conduit locking device of claim 14, furthercomprising a seal formed at an interface of the piston and the one ormore sidewalls of the housing.
 16. The conduit locking device of claim12, where, when the conduit locking device is installed within theconduit and at least one of the one or more slides is in the secondposition, the conduit locking device is structurally configured toprevent access by a cable from a first location disposed upstream of theconduit locking device within the conduit and a second location disposeddownstream of the conduit locking device within the conduit.
 17. Theconduit locking device of claim 12, where the one or more slides arestructurally configured to engage with one or more existing cablesdisposed within a conduit.
 18. The conduit locking device of claim 12,where the one or more slides are sized and shaped to utilize apredetermined portion of annular space within the conduit when in thesecond position thereby restricting access between a first locationdisposed upstream of the conduit locking device within the conduit and asecond location disposed downstream of the conduit locking device withinthe conduit.
 19. The conduit locking device of claim 12, where aconnector on one or more of the first end and the second end of thehousing comprises a hydraulic connector.
 20. The conduit locking deviceof claim 12, where the at least one of the one or more slides ismovable, and where at least another one of the one or more slides isfixed.